Father Pleads Guilty to Child Cruelty After Leaving Toddler Wandering Alone

A 36-year-old father, Michael Cowo, pleaded guilty in court today to a charge of child cruelty. The incident dates to July 29, when Cowo and his then common-law wife were drinking at their Lacroix Boulevard residence, with their 2-year-old son present. Despite already having consumed several beers at home, Cowo left to continue drinking elsewhere. Later that night, his partner found him at a nearby store, still consuming alcohol. Reports indicate that the couple then returned home, where they got into an altercation. During the argument, Cowo refused to let his partner take their son, forcing her to leave without the child. After she left, Cowo also exited the home, abandoning their 2-year-old son. At approximately 4:00 a.m. on July 30, a neighbor saw the child wandering alone in the middle of the street, took him in, and later called the police. A missing person report was filed by the child’s grandmother after the father reportedly refused to report the child missing. As a result, Police officers responded, and the child was safely released into their care. Cowo appeared without legal representation before Justice Nigel Pilgrim last Friday. Since then, Attorney Lynden Jones has stepped in to assist him. However, the case was adjourned yesterday until November 13, 2025, for sentencing, to ensure he fully understands the charges against him. He now faces a possible prison sentence of 15 years to life.